Inductive coupling activation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Various electronic credentials comprising swipe activation are disclosed. An electronic credential core comprises a controller and an inductive coupling circuit. The inductive coupling circuit is configured to generate a signal when exposed to a changing electromagnetic field, such as during a read operation of the electronic credential by a magnetic reader. The generated signal is provided to the controller. The controller performs one or more functions in response to the generated signal. Swipe-activation of electronic credentials eliminates the need for hardware activation and increases the ease of use of the electronic credential.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.61/837,910, filed on Jun. 21, 2013, entitled “INDUCTIVE COUPLINGACTIVATION OF CHIP FOR A POWERED CARD OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/312,220, entitled “ELECTRONIC CREDENTIAL SIGNAL ACTIVATION SYSTEMSAND METHODS,” filed concurrently herewith, and which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of inductivecircuit activation. More particularly, this disclosure relates tosystems and methods for inductive activation of powered smart cards.

BACKGROUND

In the production and design of electronic credit cards (Smart Cards) orother powered credentials (such as, for example, passports, gift cards,identification cards, etc.), emphasis is placed on conserving batterypower in order to prolong the life of the electronic credential. Powerconsumption of the battery has traditionally been conserved by limitingfunctionality and utilizing just-in-time manufacturing practices toreduce the amount of time an electronic card sits in inventory anddepleting battery life.

In current manufacturing processes, when the circuit of the electroniccard is assembled, the circuit begins consuming power from an onboardbattery immediately. For example, in cards including capacitive buttons,the circuit continuously monitors for a capacitive change in the button.To monitor for a capacitive change, an integrated circuit (IC) generatesa voltage signal to determine the capacitance at the button. If there islarge enough change in capacitance, the card activates one or moreadditional functions. The IC continuously polls the button to identifycapacitive changes. Polling may occur every 1-2 seconds, depleting powerfrom the battery when the card is in storage and/or transit. In somecases, the capacitive button is activated during storage ortransportation causing larger power drain. In current manufacturingprocesses, as soon as the battery is connected to the circuit, thecircuit begins to draw power from the battery.

Activation of powered cards is normally performed by a mechanical switchor a capacitive sense switch. The switch may be pressed to generate aconnection allowing power to activate one or more card functions. Theswitch must be pressed by a user to activate the card. Pushing a buttonmay be difficult for the user, for example, due to resistive force,advanced age of a user, physical ailment preventing operation of thebutton, etc. Capacitive sense buttons do not provide the reliabilityneeded for some activations and use a large amount of power over thelife of the card, limiting the cards use for other applications.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises aninductive coupler configured to generate a signal in response to anelectromagnetic field and a controller coupled to the inductive coupler.The controller is configured to receive the signal. The controllerexecutes one or more predetermined functions in response to the signal.

In various embodiments, a method for swipe activation is disclosed. In afirst step, an inductive coupler is exposed to an electromagnetic field.In a second step, a signal is generated by the inductive coupler inresponse to the electromagnetic field. In a third step, the signal isprovided to a controller. In a fourth step, the controller executes oneor more predetermined functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core configured for signal activation.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiments of a system for activating anelectronic credential core through signal activation.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit cardcomprising a circuit configured for signal activation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process foractivating an electronic credential core.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core configured for swipe-activation.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate one embodiment of a printed inductive coil.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate various embodiments of wound inductive coils.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiments of an electronic credit cardcomprising a swipe-activation circuit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forswipe-activation of an electronic credit card.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides electronic credentials, suchas electronic credit cards, smart cards, electronic passports, and/orother electronic credentials, that maintain an off mode, or sleep mode,until the electronic credential has been processed into a personalizedsingulated credential. In some embodiments, the electronic credentialcomprises an antenna to harvest power from a signal. The harvested poweractivates one or more components of the electronic credential, such as,for example, a controller. When exposed to a predetermined signal, suchas a signal of a specific power, the controller executes one or moreoperations. The electronic credential card maintains an active modeuntil an onboard battery is depleted.

The present disclosure further provides electronic credentialsconfigured for swipe-activation. In some embodiments, an electroniccredential comprises an inductive coupling unit configured to generate asignal in response to an electromagnetic field. The inductive couplingunit may comprise, for example, a plurality of inductive coils. Thesignal generated by the inductive coupling unit is provided to acontroller. The controller performs one or more functions when a voltageof the generated signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Thecontroller may transition to an off state after performing the one ormore functions.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core 2 configured for signal activation. The electroniccredential core 2 comprises a controller 4 configured to perform one ormore functions. One or more functions of the controller 4 may correspondto components and/or uses of the electronic credential core. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller 4 is configured to monitora button (see FIG. 3), generate a one-time-passcode (OTP), displayinformation to a user, and/or perform any other suitable function. Thecontroller 4 is coupled to a battery 6. In some embodiments, the battery6 is omitted. Prior to activation, the controller 4 maintains an offstate, in which the controller 4 does not draw power from the battery 6.The controller 4 is configured to be activated by a signal, such as, forexample, a wireless signal. The controller 4 may comprise any suitablecontroller, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, aprogrammable gate array, and/or any other suitable circuit orcombination thereof.

The electronic credential core 2 comprises an antenna 8 configured toreceive a first signal. The antenna 8 may be configured to receive anysuitable signal, such as, for example, an electromagnetic signal such asa radiofrequency (RF) signal, a microwave signal, an optical signal,and/or any other suitable signal. In the illustrated embodiment, theantenna 8 is configured to receive an RF signal. The first signal isprovided to a signal interface 10. The interface 10 generates a secondsignal in response to the first signal. The second signal comprises anactivation signal for the controller 4. For example, in someembodiments, the interface 10 harvests the energy in the first signaland generates the second signal comprising a voltage corresponding tothe harvested energy. The second signal is generated solely from theharvested energy and the signal interface 10 does not draw any powerfrom the battery 6. In some embodiments, the signal interface 10 and/oradditional circuit elements are configured to compare the first signalto one or more threshold values and generate the second signal when thefirst signal exceeds the one or more threshold values. The interface 10provides the second signal to the controller 4. In some embodiments thecontroller 4 executes one or more predetermined functions when thevoltage of the second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as,for example, 0.5V.

In some embodiments, when the controller 4 receives the second signal,the controller 4 transitions to an active mode, The controller 4performs one or more functions that require the controller draw powerfrom the battery 6. For example, in some embodiments, after beingactivated, the controller 4 monitors one or more buttons, such as acapacitive sense switch. By maintaining the controller 4 in an off, orno-power state during storage and transportation, the electroniccredential core 2 can be produced and stored without draining thebattery 6, extending the shelf life and/or operational life. Theelectronic credential core 2 can be activated after an electroniccredential has been fully manufactured.

In some embodiments, when the controller 4 receives the second signal,the controller 4 temporarily transitions to active mode. The controller4 performs the one or more functions, such as, for example, generatingan OTP code or illuminating a display, and transitions back to the offstate after performing the one or more functions. The controller 4 onlydraws power from the battery 6 during performance of the one or morefunctions and then returns to the off state. In some embodiments, asecondary power source (not shown) is coupled to the controller 4 and/orthe interface 10 to power one or more operations of the controller 4without drawing power from the battery 6. The secondary power source maycomprise, for example, a secondary battery, a coin cell, an Enerchip, acapacitor, and/or any other suitable power source.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for activating an electronic credential core2 configured for signal activation. The electronic credential core 2 canbe produced and stored with zero power use until activated. Theelectronic credential core 2 is activated when exposed to a signal 12.During activation, a signal 12 is generated by device 14. The signal 12is received by the antenna 8. The interface 10 harvests the energy inthe received signal and provides a voltage to the controller 4. In someembodiments, the signal 12 comprises personalization information forprogramming the electronic credential core 2.

In some embodiments, the signal interface 10 comprises a power convertorto harvest the energy in the first signal 12 and provide a second signalto an I/O pin of the controller 4. The second signal is generated by thesignal interface 10 without drawing power from the battery 6. Thecontroller 4 is activated by, for example, a signal having a voltagegreater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. After receiving thesecond signal, the controller 4 transitions to an active mode andcontinuously draws power from the battery 6. The controller 4 performsone or more functions, such as, for example, continuously monitoring acapacitive sense switch and/or generating an OTP code in response toactivation of the capacitive sense switch. In some embodiments, thecontroller 4 maintains an active mode until the battery 6 is depleted.In other embodiments, the controller 4 transitions to a lower powersleep mode after performing the one or more functions.

For example, in some embodiments, an electronic credential core 2 maycomprise a controller 4 configured to generate one-time-passcodes (OTP).A capactive switch (not shown) may be coupled to the controller 4. Priorto activation, the controller 4 maintains an off-state in which thecontroller 4 draws zero power from a battery 6 and does not monitor thecapacitive switch. When exposed to a predetermined signal, thecontroller 4 is activated by a signal interface 10. Once activated, thecontroller 4 continuously monitors the capacitive switch. When theswitch is pressed, for example, by a user, the controller 4 generates anOTP code for display to a user or other use (e.g., transmission) in atransaction.

In some embodiments, the first signal 12 contains personalizationinformation. The first signal 12 is received by the interface 10 andprovided to the controller 4. The personalization information may beprovided by, for example, one or more demodulators and/or signalconverters in the interface 10. The personalization information maycomprise, for example, a credential (or card) number, a user name, anOTP algorithm, and OTP seed value, and/or additional personalizationinformation. In some embodiments, the signal 12 comprises an RF signal,such as, for example, a signal in the range of 13.56 MHz. Thepersonalization information may be stored by the controller 4, forexample, in persistent memory. The persistent memory may be integralwith the controller 4 and/or external from the controller 4. In someembodiments, the first signal 12 comprises an RF signal such as, forexample, an RFID signal. In some embodiments, the first signal 12 isgenerated by a contactless smart card device. In other embodiments thatdo not use an RF activation signal, the signal can be provided throughmating contact smart card pads.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic transaction card, such as a credit card100, comprising a circuit. The electronic credit card 100 comprises acontroller 104 configured to perform one or more functions. Thecontroller 104 is coupled to a battery 106. The controller 104 maintainsan off, or sleep, mode until the controller 104 is activated. In the offmode, the controller 104 does not draw power from the battery 106. Theelectronic credit card 100 comprises an antenna 108 configured toreceive a first signal, such as, for example, an RF signal. The antenna108 is coupled to a signal interface 110. The signal interface 110harvests the energy in the received signal and generates a secondsignal. The second signal is generated solely from the harvested energyand the signal interface 110 does not draw power from the battery 106.The second signal is provided to the controller 104. In someembodiments, the second signal comprises a voltage corresponding to theenergy harvested from the received signal. The interface 110 comprisesany suitable power conversion circuit, such as, for example, one or moreinductive coils, photovoltaics, piezoelectrics, antennas, and/or anyother suitable power convertor. In some embodiments, the controller 104requires a signal having a predetermined voltage to activate thecontroller 104. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 104 isactivated when the second signal comprises a voltage exceeding apredetermine threshold of 0.5V.

After receiving the second signal, the controller 104 transitions to anactive mode in which the controller 104 draws power from the battery106. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 104 draws powerwhile monitoring a button 116. When the button 116 is pressed, thecontroller 104 generates a one-time-passcode (OTP) and displays the OTPto a user by, for example, a 6-digit, 7-segment display 118 embedded inthe electronic credit card 100. In some embodiments, after receiving theactivation signal, the controller 104 performs one or more predeterminedoperations and returns to the off-state. In some embodiments, theelectronic credit card 100 comprises a swipe-activation circuit, such asa magnetic swipe strip programmed with static data or a magnetic stripeemulator that can be dynamically programmed with data and emulates astandard magnetic swipe stripe.

The electronic credit card 100 may be manufactured from an electronicpre-laminate core (or Core PreLam), such as, for example, the electroniccredential core 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. A method for manufacturing anelectronic credential, such as the electronic credit card 100, maycomprise: assembling an electronic core circuit, such as, for example,the electronic credential core 2; placing the electronic core circuitbetween PVC sheets to create an electronic core; storing and/or shippingthe electronic core; embedding the electronic core between one or moreadditional sheets of plastic comprising logos, identifiers, circuitry,etc.; forming the electronic core and one or more additional sheets ofplastic into a predetermined size; personalizing the credential withcustomer information; and shipping the electronic credential to acustomer. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/801,677, entitled“INFORMATION CARRYING CARD COMPRISING CROSSLINKED POLYMER COMPOSITION,AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME,” filed on Mar. 13, 2013, is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. The electronic credit card100 may be manufactured utilizing hot and/or cold lamination processes.For example, in one embodiment, a hot lamination process comprisestemperatures of up to 180 degrees Celsius and a pressure of about125-400 lbs. per square inch for durations of up to thirty minutes. Insome embodiments, manufacture of an electronic credit card 100 comprisesexposure of a Core PreLam to vacuum and/or pressurization conditions.The electronic credit card 100 is configured to withstand themanufacturing conditions of the electronic credit card 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofactivating an electronic credential. In a first step 202, a first signalis generated by an activation device. The signal may comprise anysuitable signal, such as, for example, an RF signal. The signal maycomprise personalization information. In a second step 204, the firstsignal is received by an antenna. In a third step 206, energy in thefirst signal is harvested by a signal interface 10. In a fourth step208, the interface 10 generates a second signal from the harvestedenergy. In some embodiments, the second signal comprises a voltagecorresponding to the harvested energy of the first signal. The secondsignal is configured to activate a controller. In some embodiments, thesecond signal is configured to program the controller withpersonalization information received from the first signal. In a fifthstep 210, the controller performs one or more functions. In someembodiments, the controller performs the one or more functions until anonboard battery is depleted.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic credential core 302comprising a controller 304 configured for swipe-activation. Thecontroller 304 is configured to perform one or more functions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller 4 is configured to generateand display an OTP when activated. The controller 304 may be activatedby, for example, exposing the electronic credential core 302 to anelectromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be generated by,for example, a card reader such as a magnetic card reader and/or an RFIDcard reader. The controller 304 may be coupled to a battery 306 to powerthe one or more functions of the controller 304.

The electronic credential core 302 comprises an inductive couplingcircuit 308 coupled to the controller 304. The inductive couplingcircuit 308 inductively couples the electronic credential core 302 to anelectromagnetic field. The inductive coupling circuit 308 may compriseany suitable inductive coupling, such as, for example, an antenna, oneor more inductive coils, and/or any other suitable inductive couplingdevice. When the inductive coupling circuit 308 is exposed to anelectromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308 generates avoltage. The voltage may be provided to the controller 304 through oneor more input/output (I/O) pins.

The controller 304 performs one or more predetermined functions inresponse to a generated voltage from the inductive coupling circuit 308.For example, in some embodiments, the controller 304 generates an OTPwhen the voltage generated by the inductive coupling circuit 308 exceedsa predetermined threshold. The activation of one or more predeterminedfunctions by the inductive coupling circuit 308 is referred to asswipe-activation. The inductive coupling circuit 308 may be activatedby, for example, moving or swiping the electronic credential core 302through a magnetic field, such as a magnetic card reader, exposing theelectronic credential core 302 to a contactless reader, and/or otherwiseexposing the inductive coupling circuit 308 to an electromagneticsignal. Although the term “swipe-activation” is used herein, it will berecognized that any movement of the electronic credential core 302 maybe sufficient to activate the inductive coupling circuit 308. In someembodiments, the electronic credential core 302 may be exposed to achanging electromagnetic field and movement of the electronic credentialcore 302 may not be necessary to activate the inductive coupling circuit308.

In some embodiments, the battery 306 is omitted and the controller 304is powered solely by the inductive coupling circuit 308. The controller304 is coupled to the inductive coupling circuit 308. When the inductivecoupling circuit 308 is exposed to an electromagnetic field, theinductive coupling circuit 308 generates sufficient energy to power thecontroller 304 to perform one or more predetermined functions. Forexample, the inductive coupling circuit 308 may be configured togenerate a voltage sufficient to enable the controller 304 to generateand display an OTP code to a user. In some embodiments, the controller304 is coupled to a battery. The inductive coupling circuit 308activates the controller 304, which draws power from the battery 306 toperform one or more functions. The battery 306 may be configured topower a first set of functions and the inductive coupling circuit 308may be configured to power a second set of functions of the electroniccredential core 302. The battery 306 may comprise a rechargeablebattery. For example, the battery 306 may be coupled to the inductivecoupling circuit 308. When the inductive coupling circuit 308 is exposedto an electromagnetic field, the generated voltage is provided to thebattery 306 for recharging.

In some embodiments, electronic credential core 302 providespersonalization and programming of the controller 304 without activationof the battery 306. The inductive coupling circuit 308 receives one ormore signals comprising personalization information. The personalizationinformation may comprise, for example, a credential (or card) number,personal identification information, transaction information, and/or anyother suitable personalization information. When exposed to anelectromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308 may activatethe controller 304, program the controller 304, and transition thecontroller 304 back to an off-state to prevent the use of the battery306. In some embodiments, the controller 304 is programmed by theinductive coupling circuit 308 and remains in an off-state untilpermanently activated by an activation button coupled to the controller304 (now shown), for example, an activation signal received by anantenna

The inductive coupling circuit 308 allows for the elimination of buttonsfrom electronic credentials. When the electronic credential core 302 isexposed to an electromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308automatically activates one or more functions of the controller 304,eliminating the need for a user-initiated action, such as pressing abutton. Activating functions through inductive coupling using the powerof an existing electromagnetic field, such as the magnetic fieldgenerated by a magnetic card reader, provides advantages for ease of useand power consumption. By eliminating the need for activation buttons,power loss due to monitoring of one or more buttons can be eliminated,increasing the useable life of a powered credential. Swipe-activationfurther provides for additional functionality and use cases forcredential issuers to respond to and/or interact with a user when anelectronic credential is used, for example, at a point-of-sale terminal.For example, in some embodiments, an electronic credential may comprisea logo. The logo comprises one or more LEDS and/or other suitable lightsource. When the electronic credential is exposed to a changing magneticfield, such as, for example, being swiped at a point-of-sale terminal,the LED is activated to illuminate the logo. In some embodiments, anelectronic credential comprises a display. The display is activated bythe inductive coupling circuit 308 to display one or more messages, suchas, for example, “Thank You” after the electronic credential has beenused at a point-of-sale terminal. FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment ofan electrical credit card 350 comprising a swipe-activated logo,insignia and/or art work 352. The swipe-activated logo 352 comprises anillumination source. The illumination source may comprise any suitableillumination source such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED),a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC), an electroluminescent wire,and/or any other suitable illumination source. The illumination sourceis coupled to an inductive coupling circuit, such as, for example, theinductive coupling circuit 308 illustrated in FIG. 5. When theelectronic credit card 350 is read through a wireless reader, such as amagnetic stripe reader or an RFID reader, the inductive coupling circuit308 generates a voltage for the illumination source which illuminatesthe swipe-activated logo 352. In some embodiments, the electronic creditcard 350 comprises a swipe-activated display.

In some embodiments, the inductive coupling circuit 308 comprises one ormore inductive coils. The inductive coils may comprise, for example, awound coil and/or a printed coil. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a process offorming a printed inductive coil 400. As shown in FIG. 6A, a bottom coillayer 402 a is printed on a substrate 404. The bottom coil layer 402 acomprises any suitable material, such as, for example, copper traces. Asshown in FIG. 6B, copper pads 406 and a dielectric core 408 are printedin a second layer. The copper pads 406 are coupled to the bottom coillayer 402 a. A top coil layer 402 b is printed over the dielectric core408 and coupled to the copper pads 406, as shown in FIG. 6C. FIG. 6Dillustrates the completed printed inductive coil 400. The core 408 isshown transparently for illustration purposes.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate various embodiments of wound coils that maybe suitable for inclusion in the electronic credential core 302. A woundcoil is created by a mechanical winding around a conductive corematerial. The mechanical winding is coupled to a printed circuit board(PCB), such as, for example, the electronic credential core 302. FIG. 7Aillustrates a coil 450 a comprising a conductive material 452, such as,for example, copper, wound about an insulating core 454. FIG. 7Billustrates a coil 450 b comprising a conductive material woundconcentrically.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit card 500comprising a circuit configured for swipe-activation. The electroniccredit card 500 comprises an controller 504 configured to perform one ormore predetermined operations when activated. For example, in someembodiments, the controller 504 is configured to generate an OTP anddisplay the OTP to a user. The controller 504 is coupled to a battery506. The electronic credit card 500 comprises one or more inductivecoils 508 a, 508 b coupled to the controller 504. The inductive coils508 a, 508 b are configured to generate a voltage when exposed to anelectromagnetic field, such as, for example, a magnetic field generatedby a magnetic card reader. In some embodiments, the electronic creditcard 500 comprises a magnetic strip (not shown) configured to be read bythe magnetic card reader. The first inductive coil 508 a may be locatedat a first end of the magnetic strip and the second inductive coil 508 bmay be located at a second end of the magnetic strip. When the generatedvoltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as, for example, 0.5V,the controller 504 performs one or more predetermined operations. Forexample, in some embodiments, when the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b arepassed through a magnetic field, for example, during a read operation ofthe electronic credit card 500 during a transaction, the inductive coils508 a, 508 b generate a voltage, activating the controller 504 togenerate an OTP for use in the transaction. In some embodiments, theelectronic credit card 500 is configured to display the generated OTP ona 6 digit, 7 segment display 518 formed integrally with the electroniccredit card 500. In some embodiments, the electronic credit cardcomprises a button 516 configured to activate one or more additionalfunctions of the controller 504. The button 516 may be omitted if allfunctions of the electronic credit card 500 are initiated throughconductive coupling.

In some embodiments, the controller 504 maintains a stand-by, or off,mode until activated by the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b. The controller504 transitions to an active mode and performs one or more predeterminedfunctions. After performing the one or more predetermined functions, thecontroller 504 may transition back to a lower power stand-by mode. Theone or more predetermined functions may comprise, for example,generating of an OTP and/or illumination of a logo.

In some embodiments, the plurality of inductive coils 508 a, 508 b arepositioned in proximity to a magnetic read strip (not shown) formed onthe electronic credit card 500. The inductive coils 508 a, 508 bcomprise manufactured components that fit at each end of the magneticstrip area to receive the magnetic field generated by read heads of amagnetic strip reader, such as, for example, a point of sale device. Theinductive coils 508 a, 508 b comprise a height corresponding to a formfactor of the electronic credit card 500. For example, in someembodiments the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b comprise a height ofbetween 11 mils and 16 mils, and, more particularly, may comprise aheight of 12 mils. Those skilled in the art will recognize that formfactors other than the electronic credit card 500 may comprise larger orsmaller inductive coils 508 a, 508 b.

In some embodiments, for an OTP card, such as the electronic credit card500, to generate OTP values, an initial seed value must be provided. Theinitial seed value may be stored in persistent memory on the electroniccredit card 500. In some embodiments, the OTP seed value is replacedeach time an OTP is generated. In an event based OTP algorithm, acounter is set for the seed value and is incremented with eachgeneration of an OTP value. In a previous value algorithm, the OTP seedvalue is set to the previously generated OTP value. In some embodiments,the OTP seed value is provided to the electronic credit card 500 throughinductive coupling.

The electronic credit card 500 may comprise persistent memory forstoring an OTP seed value and/or an OTP algorithm. An initial and/orcurrent OTP seed value may be transmitted to the persistent memory by,for example, a dual interface microcontroller 512. The dual interfacemicrocontroller 512 may support one or more communication protocols fortransmitting and/or receiving an OTP seed value, such as, for example,ISO/IEC 14443 and/or ISO/IEC 7816. The use of, for example, the ISO/IEC14443 communication protocol allows existing hardware and softwaresystems to be used as seeding stations for the electronic credit card400. The dual interface microcontroller 512 may comprise any suitablemicrocontroller, such as, for example, an NXP SmartMx dual interfacecontroller.

In some embodiments, the dual interface microcontroller 512 is coupledto the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b and/or an antenna 514 to receive anOTP seed value. The dual interface microcontroller 512 temporarilystores an updated seed value in persistent memory formed integrally withthe dual interface microcontroller 512. When the controller 504 isactivated, either temporarily or permanently, the controller 504 loadsthe OTP seed value from the dual interface microcontroller 512 andstores the seed value in persistent memory formed integrally with thecontroller 504. In some embodiments, the dual interface microcontroller512 is inductively powered by the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b and isnot coupled to the battery 506.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 600 forswipe-activation of an electronic credential. In a first step 602, aninductive coupling circuit of an electronic credential card is exposedto a changing electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, the change inthe electromagnetic field is generated by the movement of the electroniccredential card through a magnetic field of a magnetic card reader. In asecond step 604, a voltage is generated by the inductive couplingcircuit. In a third step 606, the voltage is received by a controller.If the voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as, for example,0.5V, the method proceeds to a fourth step 608. In the fourth step 608,the controller executes one or more predetermined functions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller generates an OTP code andprovides the OTP code to a user and/or a point-of-sale device. In anoptional fifth step 610, after performing the one or more predeterminedfunctions, the controller transitions to a stand-by mode until theelectronic credit card is exposed to an electromagnetic field sufficientto generate the predetermined voltage.

Embodiments of electronic credentials described herein have aconfiguration and design that allows the electronic credential tomaintain an off, or no-power state, until the electronic credential isexposed to an activation signal. The activation signal causes acontroller of the electronic credential to activate and perform one ormore predetermined functions. For example, in some embodiments, theelectronic credential comprises an antenna configured to receive an RFsignal. When the antenna receives the RF signal, a signal interfaceharvests the energy in the RF signal to generate an activation signalfor a controller. The controller is activated by the activation signaland performs one or more functions.

Other embodiments of electronic credentials described herein have aconfiguration and design that provides for swipe-activation of theelectronic credential. The electronic credentials comprise a circuithaving a controller and an inductive coupling circuit. The inductivecoupling circuit generates a signal when exposed to an electromagneticfield. For example, when the electronic credential is processed by apoint-of-sale terminal having a magnetic card reader, the inductivecoupling circuit generates a signal in response to the generatedmagnetic field. The generated signal is provided to the controller. Thecontroller performs one or more functions in response to the generatedsignal. The inductive coupling circuit allows electronic credentials tobe manufactured and used without buttons.

Other embodiments and uses of the systems and methods described hereinwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the systems and methods described. Alldocuments referenced herein are specifically and entirely incorporatedby reference. The specification should be considered exemplary only withthe true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the followingclaims. As will be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in theart, variations and modifications of each of the disclosed embodimentscan be easily made within the scope of this invention as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A circuit comprising: an inductive couplerconfigured to harvest energy of a first signal from an electromagneticfield and generate a second signal using only energy harvested from thefirst signal; and a controller coupled to the inductive coupler, thecontroller configured to receive the second signal, and wherein thecontroller is configured to transition from an off state to an activestate to execute one or more predetermined functions when the secondsignal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 2. The circuit of claim 1,wherein the inductive coupler comprises at least one inductive coil. 3.The circuit of claim 2, wherein the inductive coupler generates avoltage of the second signal proportional to the first signal.
 4. Thecircuit of claim 3, wherein the second signal generated by the inductivecoupler is configured to power the controller to execute the one or morepredetermined functions.
 5. The circuit of claim 2, wherein theinductive coil comprises at least one printed coil.
 6. The circuit ofclaim 1, comprising a battery coupled to the controller, wherein thecontroller is configured to draw power from the battery to execute theone or more predetermined functions.
 7. The circuit of claim 1, whereinthe one or more functions include generating a one-time-passcode.
 8. Thecircuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more functions includeilluminating a logo.
 9. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the inductivecoupler is configured to receive one or signals comprisingpersonalization information.
 10. The circuit of claim 9, wherein thecontroller is configured to store received personalization information.11. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the circuit is contained within apre-laminate core for use in manufacturing a smart card.
 12. A methodfor swipe activation, the method comprising: exposing an inductivecoupler to an electromagnetic field; harvesting, by the inductivecoupler, a first signal from the electromagnetic field; generating, bythe inductive coupler, a second signal in response to the first signal,wherein the second signal is generated using only energy harvested fromthe first signal; providing the second signal to a controller; andexecuting, by the controller, one or more predetermined functions whenthe second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the inductive coupler comprises at least one inductivecoil.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising powering thecontroller using a battery.
 15. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising powering the controller using the second signal.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein executing the one or more functionscomprises generating, by the processor, a one-time-passcode.
 17. Themethod of claim 12, wherein executing the one or more functionscomprises illuminating a logo.
 18. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: receiving, by the inductive coupler, personalizationinformation; and programming the controller with the personalizationinformation.
 19. An electronic transaction card, comprising: aswipe-activated circuit comprising: one or more inductive coilsconfigured to harvest energy of a first signal from an electromagneticfield; a signal interface coupled to the one or more inductive coils,the signal interface configured to generate a second signal using onlyenergy harvested from the first signal a controller coupled to thesignal interface, the controller configured to receive the secondsignal, and wherein the controller executes one or more predeterminedfunctions when the second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; anda magnetic strip, wherein the one or more inductive coils are locatedwith respect to the magnetic strip such that the one or more inductivecoils are exposed to a magnetic field during a read operation of themagnetic strip.
 20. The electronic transaction card of claim 19, furthercomprising a logo having an illumination source, wherein the controlleris configured to illuminate the illumination source in response to thesecond signal generated by the signal interface.
 21. The electronictransaction card of claim 19, further comprising a segment display,wherein the controller is configured to generate a one-time-passcode inresponse to the second signal, and wherein the controller is configuredto display the one-time-passcode on the segment display.
 22. Theelectronic transaction card of claim 19, wherein the one or moreinductive coils comprise a first inductive coil and a second inductivecoil, wherein the first inductive coil is located at a first end of themagnetic strip and the second inductive coil is located at a second endof the magnetic strip.